Positive Train Control (PTC) is a set of technologies, as mandated in the Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008, to help prevent train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a main line switch in the improper position. The legislation requires PTC to be deployed by all freight and commuter railroads that travel on main lines used to transport passengers or toxic-by-inhalation materials.

PTC is the most complex technological initiative the rail industry has ever undertaken at an unprecedented scale. When fully implemented, PTC will include over 60,000 devices that are installed on nearly 70,000 miles of track and 25,000 locomotives.

A key component of PTC is an advanced wireless communications system that integrates the technologies.

60,000 Devices

70,000 Miles of Track

25,000 Locomotives

Interoperable, Reliable, and Scalable PTC Communications

Following the passage of the RSIA, the freight rail industry adopted Meteorcomm’s ITCnet platform as its nationwide PTC communications solution. With the ability to reliably relay mission-critical data across the entire U.S. rail infrastructure, ITCnet provides the needed wireless communications functions to successfully support PTC operations.

Interoperability: Trains frequently travel on tracks owned by other railroads. For this reason, PTC demands a communications system that is interoperable with the ability to relay data across railroads. ITCnet is the only interoperable PTC communications solution available.

Reliability: PTC requires a highly reliable communications system to avoid unexpected train delays as a result of system failure. ITCnet was designed and developed to support up to 5-9s reliability.

Scalability: ITCnet is a flexible and scalable communications platform that is built to accommodate new services and applications.

ITCnet

A highly reliable and interoperable wireless communications platform for the rail industry.